French racing driver who competes in the FIA Formula E Championship with the TECHEETAH Formula E team, Jean-Eric Vergne, has recently said that he agrees with those who think 2019 could finally be Scuderia Ferrari’s year. The former Formula 1 driver continued his career as a tester for the Maranello team, but he is now focusing on Formula E and the world endurance championship.
“I am no longer with Ferrari, but I’m convinced this season can be theirs.” – he said, as reported by French-language daily newspaper published in Brussels La Dernière Heure and Les Sports. Jean-Eric Vergne drove in F1 for Toro Rosso, but was among the many victims of the Red Bull driver programme – “I don’t regret leaving Formula 1. Even if I was invited to return, as happened with Brendon Hartley, I doubt that I would accept it. What does Hartley have? A contract for one, two years maximum. What will he do then? I am much more attracted by the opportunity of competing in two championships at the same time.”
As for the big Red Bull star, Vergne urged Max Verstappen to “calm down” amid his tumultuous 2018 Formula 1 season and criticism: “Max is a unique driver who is very talented and takes a lot of risks. Previously he was lucky, because he managed to pull off moves that are one in a hundred. Only now it’s not working. If he calms down a little and focuses on the main thing – finishing the races – he will be where he should be, which is in the leaders group. But now he is making too many mistakes that can be avoided.” – he added.
Jean-Eric Vergne, who joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2015, as test and development driver particularly in respect of simulator work, also talked about McLaren, as the British team continues to struggle even after switching from Honda to Renault power: “When you have the same engine as a team that wins races, and you’re also behind Toro Rosso with Honda, this should be a concern. I think McLaren has huge pressure. Fernando [Alonso] told me that the team is preparing a lot of new parts for Barcelona, which would also be good for Stoffel Vandoorne. I think if he was at Mercedes or Ferrari, he would win races. He is in no way inferior to [Sebastian] Vettel or [Lewis] Hamilton.” – he concluded.
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